Speak to be understood
“Language is the means of getting an idea from my brain into yours without surgery.”~ Mark Amidon
Once you start blogging, it’s likely you’ll find more and more jargon slipping into your language. Though it’s fine to use this specialized speech with others “in the know,” be conscious of relying on it as your sole form of communication. Upon hearing the words “blog,” “podcast,” “YouTube,” or “MySpace,” some people will tune out because those words don’t mean anything to them.
Speak–and write–using the language of your ideal customer, client, or audience
- At a networking event — “Here’s my card, Joe. I think that some of the articles and tips on my website would help you get a handle on those schedule challenges you were talking about earlier.”
- In your email signature — “Learn how to build an effective and inspiring work environment — practical and proven tips available at your website/blog address.”
- On your voice mail — “For specific advice on how to market your professional medical practice, visit your website/blog address.”
- In a speech — “For those of you who would like more tips and techniques for staying sane as a single parent, visit my website. I’ve written over 100 free articles that are short and easy to read in under 5 minutes each.”
- On your blog — “Receive these informative posts directly in your email inbox by joining my subscriber list. You’ll receive 2-4 emails each week to read at your convenience.”
Personally, I think that each of these examples conveys to others (a) specifically what you’re offering on your blog and (b) why it’s worth their time to visit your site. For me it’s much more compelling than simply saying/writing “Visit my blog.”
What have you done to communicate your blog’s value in a way that your ideal audience easily understands?
Related posts which may interest you
- Links anyone? Effective linking makes win-win-win
- Planning AND flexibility are key to blogging success
- Choosing between a stand alone or integrated blog
- Take these simple steps to create exceptional blog content
- Beautiful blog design — help for the color clueless
- The Coaches’ Blog Book — use a blog to market your coaching practice
Thank you, blogosphere style
Bloggers, have you thanked your readers today? Readers, have you thanked your bloggers? In our hyperactive, speedy society, we often either forget polite courtesies or we offer them from a semi-conscious state. Today I wanted to offer a little reminder to say “thank you” and spread some sunshine into the lives of people you commune with here in the blogosphere.
For bloggers, I recommend that you install a plugin to disable the “no follow” default on your blogs. Using such a plugin (I’ve just installed Andrew Timberlake’s Link Love plugin that rewards regular commentors) will ensure that search engine spiders will follow links that your readers leave when they post a comment. This helps them gain visibility and credibility and is a very easy way for you to thank them for taking the time to visit and interact with you.
- David Airey turned me on to the whole “do follow” idea. Learn why he thinks you should add do follow to your blog design.
- Andy Beard offers a slew of links to his ultimate list of nofollow and dofollow plugin post.
For blog readers, I recommend you read Eric Giguere’s great post, how to support your favorite bloggers. Then follow through with some act of appreciation for any or all of your favorite bloggers.
“I was on a train on a rainy day. The train was slowing down to pull into a station. For some reason, I became intent on watching the raindrops on the window. Two separate drops, pushed by the wind, merged into one for a moment and then divided again - each carrying with it a part of the other. Simply by that momentary touching, neither was what it had been before. And as each one went on to touch other raindrops, it shared not only itself, but what it had gleaned from the other. I saw this metaphor many years ago and it is one of my most vivid memories. I realized then that we never touch people so lightly that we do not leave a trace.”
~ Peggy Tabor Millin, Mary’s Way
For me, this quote sums it all up. We’re always impacting each other (hopefully in a positive way) and touching one another’s lives. Let someone know that you appreciate the mark they’ve left on you by taking a brief moment simply to say “thank you.”
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Have the heart of a blogger
“It’s easy to tell who’ll be a great blogger. It’s the person who has a good brain connected to a great heart who listens when other folks talk.”~ Liz Strauss
There’s a lot written about what skills are required to be successful at blogging (I’ve even written about it myself). This quote from Liz at Successful Blog, however, got me thinking about the heart of what makes a great blogger. Though some might view these traits as “soft skills,” they’re as essential to your success as any “hard” or technical skills you might acquire.
Traits of the “hearty” blogger
- Appreciation of others — This trait shows up in many ways. Hearty bloggers visit others’ blogs and leave thoughtful, useful, or appreciative comments. Such bloggers also freely link to others and praise their work.
- Desire to connect – Bloggers with heart are interested in having conversation and community. They seek out new relationships and nurture the relationships they have. It’s not a one-sided monologue with bloggers with heart.
- Open, curious, and interested in the world – Though hearty bloggers have opinions and ideas that they want to share, they’re also open to the perceptions and experiences of others. They enjoy learning and aren’t afraid to ask questions or receive input from others.
- Authentic presentation – Though there are hearty bloggers who use an alias, most show up as themselves (there are pictures to prove it). In addition to blogging as themselves, these bloggers reveal information about who they are, their gifts/talents, their weaknesses, their dreams; in other words “what you see is what you get.”
I’m confident that some will say that if you’re blogging for business, you must refrain from being too personal, too real, or too generous. I totally disagree. One of the greatest strengths of a business owner is her/his ability to genuinely connect with those she/he serves. By blogging with heart, you’re taking one giant step in making that kind of invaluable connection.
What other traits do you think “hearty” bloggers possess? Do you disagree with any that I’ve mentioned?
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Best reasons to have your own blog — part 5
Having a business blog can save you money and time. Your blog can also help you control your own identity, launch yourself into something new or even champion a cause and serve the world. Blogging may also allow you to develop a community, learn, grow, and generally become a better person. Perhaps you remain unconvinced, despite all these wonderful reasons for creating your own blog.
So, here is my last-ditch effort to persuade you to get on the blog train by planning for and launching your very own blog.
- Attract customers for your business — Even when your business is booming (or is at least steady and satisfying), you’ll lose customers/clients. Whether they move away, change tastes, develop their new favorite vendor/supplier, or die, you’ll have room for new patrons. Having a blog–which has global reach–that effectively communicates with your desired customer base, can help you fill in those gaps as they occur. A blog can be a very effective funnel for bringing potential clients/customers your way for that first visit. When you interact effectively via your blog, you can turn those first time visitors into repeat, loyal customers (at least until it’s their time to depart and make room for your next new client).
- Source something of value to the world — Whether your chief aim is to strut your stuff or satisfy your soul, blogging can be a great tool for the job. Blogs allow you to be creative, collaborative, imaginative. They are vehicles for sharing your intellectual knowledge and your spiritual wisdom. Blogs give you a platform from which you can impact the world. Don’t wait to accumulate billions of dollars, make it big in pop culture, or until you become ruler of your country. Start blogging now and share with the world whatever gifts you have to offer.
Other voices on the best reasons to blog
Now, since I am not THE authority on blogging (though I’m full of lots of opinions, experience, and ideas), here are a few more reasons why blogging makes such common sense.
- Randfish at SEOmoz explains Why you should blog
- Rich Brooks writes 5 reasons whey a blog is better than an email newsletter
- Ben McConnell and Jackie Huber show why blogging rocks in Small business and blogging
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Plan to develop a successful blog
No one would plan to develop a failed blog. As the saying goes, however, many fail to plan. So, if you want to create a successful blog, plan you must.
“The only thing that ever sat its way to success was a hen.”
~ Sarah Brown
Crucial steps in planning for your successful blog
- Define what you mean by “success.” Though some factors will be constant, a blogger who wants to earn money directly from blogging will employ a different strategy and style than a blogger whose primary aim is to develop enough material to write a book. Know your goal(s) before you begin the blogging journey or you’ll end up meandering and clueless.
- Learn what’s required of you. Many people, lured by the promised riches and rewards of blogging, jump in without any idea of what skills, habits, and traits will be needed to attain the benefits. Check out my five essential skills for blogging success and see what talents your already possess and which skills you might need to sharpen. If none of the skills needed for blogging interest you, better to change course now than after you’ve invested lots of time, energy, and money.
- Determine if you’ll “do what it takes.” In my introductory blogging teleclasses I have many people who want to know how to blog successfully without reading others’ blogs and without spending much time on their own blog. My answer: “You can’t.” You can build a readership, promote your business, and champion your cause without blogging becoming a full-time profession. Yet generally speaking, the more time–effectively spent, of course–and energy you put into blogging, the greater rewards you’ll receive back.
- Commit yourself. Once you’ve made it this far, it’s time to launch yourself fully into your blogging adventure. I don’t encourage you to give up relationships, hobbies, or other important parts of your life. However, you do need to make a clear commitment to blogging, by doing things such as allotting a specific amount of time to the practice, gathering the resources you’ll need, and beginning new habits to foster your success.
- Invest in your success. If you’re doing any kind of professional or business blog, invest your money as well as your time. You need not spend much, yet using Blogger or LiveJournal or picking a standard, non-branded template/theme are choices suited only to personal blogs and should therefore be avoided. Useful ways to invest include: buying your own domain name; having a blog theme customized to reflect your business brand; getting professional portraits made; securing reliable web hosting; consulting with a blog coach; purchasing (and reading) a few blogging books (three I recommend are: Visual Quickstart Guide: WordPress 2 by Maria Langer and Miraz Jordan; Blogging Tips by Lorelle VanFossen; and Publish and Prosper: Blogging for Your Business by DL Byron and Steve Broback.
With these five steps meticulously followed can I guarantee blogging success? I could, but I won’t because there are many “x factors” that influence the outcome. However, I can assure you than if you take the time to develop a plan for blogging success, you will be more much more much, much more likely to achieve success than if you fail to plan. If you decide not to take my advice, however, listen to this.
“Success is blocked by concentrating on it and planning for it. . . . Success is shy - it won’t come out while you’re watching.”
~ Tennessee Williams
So what route will you travel to success? (A) Have a plan. Or (B) Plans, who needs ‘em.
If you’re already successful, what sage counsel do you have to offer?
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Take these simple steps to create exceptional blog content
Blogs make it so easy to add content to your website that it’s possible to publish a post before it’s really ready. On the other hand, such ease may also mean that your blog is more conversational and engaging than much of the highly polished brochure lingo featured on more traditional websites. So, how do know when your post is ready to publish?
Basic guidelines for creating exceptional blog content
Before I offer my suggestions, let’s clarify what I mean by “exceptional.” WordNet defines exceptional as, “far beyond what is usual in magnitude or degree; surpassing what is common or usual or expected.” When I think of exceptional blog posts, I think of posts that are well crafted, clearly written, tell a compelling story, provide useful information, and are easy on the eyes). These are posts that I want to share with others, link to, comment on, and thank the author for. Below are my specific suggestions on creating your own exceptional blog content.
- Write about what your readers care about. This is the starting point. If your subject matter isn’t of interest to your audience, it makes no difference how well it’s written or how slick it looks.
- Write about what you care about. Passion stirs creativity that can lead to posts that are more compelling to read. This will help ensure that the process will be enjoyable for you as well.
- Use the tools of great writers. Yes, the dictionary, thesaurus, and grammar and punctuation guides are meant for bloggers too. Misspeled words, typ0s, and incorrect grammar looks bad (Yes, I cringed as I wrote that sentence. Yes, I desperately wanted to correct it before publication.)
- Read what you write aloud. Before clicking the “publish” button, print out a copy of your post (use your recycled paper, please) and read what you’ve written out loud. This can help you find errors, clarify when necessary, and assure that your text flows smoothly.
- Use another set of eyes. For posts of significant length or those that are particularly important or meaningful, ask another talented writer to review what you’ve written to ensure that it’s ready for public consumption. You might even consider hiring a copy editor to proof everything you publish if you’re blogging for your business.
- Pause before publishing. Many times, especially if intense emotion is fueling your writing, publishing right away may not allow you to produce the best work possible. Consider writing every post as a draft, giving yourself a day (or at least a few hours) between typing it and transmitting it to the wide world. You may not change a thing, yet at least you’ll have the chance to do so before your entire readership sees your work.
- Consider adding enhancements. A quote, graphic, and links to other people’s ideas, though optional, may make a good post a great one. Prior to publishing, take a look at your post in the preview mode to determine what might make it more visually appealing, readable, or valuable to your audience. Small changes like adding an ordered list (1, 2, 3) or an unordered list (like this one) or shifting some copy into italics or bold can polish off your post and bring it that sense of completion.
Other’s advice for anyone writing and publishing professional blogs
As I often do, I now share several links from other authors about how you can effectively write and publish content for your blog.
- 11 things to do before publishing your blog post from Weblog Tools Collection
- Ten practical posts about writing effectively for business
- Professional writing advice from the editors at Proof-Reading.com
- Liz Strauss’ pre-publishing checklist for creating search engine worthy blog content
- Top 10 blog writing tips (check the bonus at the end for the pre-publish reminders)
If you cultivated just one new pre-publishing blogging habit, what would it be?
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Expert tips to improve your blog (for free)
You’ve done everything you can think of to create a great blog. Perhaps you’ve overlooked, or didn’t even know of some other ways to maximize your blog to the greatest effect. Well, thanks to Douglas Karr at The Marketing Technology Blog, you can get free blogging tips. Learn how you can get Douglas to, “spend a couple minutes reviewing your layout, usability, SEO, and your latest posts to find something that will help tweak your website or blog.”
“There are two primary choices in life: to accept conditions as they exist, or accept the responsibility for changing them.”
~ Dr. Denis Waitley
Happy tipping folks! Thanks Douglas (and thanks to Dawud Miracle for alerting me to this great offer.)
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Links anyone? Effective linking makes win-win-win
If you’re into blogs, you’re involved in a threesome. Now, before your minds tarry off into lascivious or prudish thoughts, let me clarify. In a blog threesome are you, your reader(s), those bloggers you’re connecting with via links (to/from or to and from). When you use links effectively you create a win-win-win. Here are those wins in no particular order:
- Your readers win because you’re providing great content (right?) AND giving links to other valuable info that they don’t have to use their precious time to search for.
- Your fellow bloggers win because you’re giving your readers a green-light and a good reason to visit her/his blog.
- You win because your readers appreciate the way you’ve served their needs/wants AND you’ve made the first step in building a relationship with another blogger and who knows all the great places that could lead.
Okay, you’re convinced that linking is good. Now it’s time to learn how to link in an effective way.
Tips, techniques, and “must know” linking links
- SEO Advice provides advice about how to effectively write your link anchor text
- Liz Strauss offers another explanation of how anchor text works for search engine optimization
- Andy Hagans writes 101 link building tips (71 of which are things “to do” and 30 of which you should avoid like the plague)
- Lorelle thoroughly explains outbound, inbound, intrasite, and blogroll links plus she links to dozens of other useful articles to read once you’re done with the link I’ve given you
- Jason at I Blog You Blog shares reasons and tips for linking internally to your own content
I’m sure there are plenty of other awesome advice articles for people wanting to link correctly, powerfully, and usefully, so feel free to give your recommendations in the comment area. Or, if you have a strategy that’s worked well for you, feel free to share that too. 
